Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro is drawing a line in the sand: ABC will keep operating the way it sees fit, even as federal regulators dig into the network’s broadcast license renewals over allegations of left-wing bias.
Speaking to CNBC at Disney’s D23 Expo, D’Amaro struck a defiant tone, vowing the company won’t cave to pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as it investigates whether ABC violated equal time rules.
“Our position on this is clear. We’re very principled on this. We’re going to stand up to what we believe is journalistic integrity. And we’re not going to be told how to run that side of our business,” D’Amaro said. “Our filings, I think, speak for that. I like what we do. We tell incredible stories. I think we do it well. We do it around the world. And we’re going to stay committed to that.”
The remarks come amid an FCC probe centered on ABC’s daytime talk show The View, which has long been criticized for its unabashedly progressive panel and activism for Democratic candidates and policies. Regulators are examining whether the show’s partisan chatter runs afoul of federal equal time rules, which require broadcasters to treat political candidates fairly.
Just last month, FCC chief Brendan Carr posted a montage video to social media compiling some of the show’s most overtly left-wing commentary and electioneering. In the post, Carr wrote that “Disney is arguing to the FCC that its ABC show The View is a ‘bona fide news program,’” adding that the company claims its editorial decisions are based on “newsworthiness”—not partisan purposes—and therefore exempt from equal time requirements.
“The FCC will make its decision based on all relevant evidence and precedents,” Carr concluded in his July 30 post on X.
The video highlights multiple instances of The View panelists advocating exclusively for the Democratic Party and disparaging Republicans, adding fuel to the regulatory push.
Allegations of Bias
The FCC’s investigation marks the latest front in a broader political battle over broadcast media’s role in elections. Critics of ABC argue that The View functions more as a partisan platform than a news program, pointing to years of one-sided segments, guest bookings, and panelist commentary that mirror Democratic talking points.
Supporters of the network, however, see the scrutiny as an attempt to intimidate journalists and chill editorial independence. D’Amaro’s comments suggest Disney is prepared to fight the matter in public and in regulatory filings rather than quietly adjust its programming.
“We’re very principled on this,” he repeated, signaling that Disney’s legal team is ready to defend ABC’s approach.
No Spinoff on the Table
Beyond the FCC fight, D’Amaro also addressed speculation about Disney’s linear networks, including ABC and ESPN. He told CNBC that the company is not considering spinning off those assets, pushing back on industry chatter that Disney might divest its traditional broadcast holdings to focus on streaming.
“They’re still spinning off cash for us. The team has done a great job integrating them into our streaming capabilities as well,” he said. “So, I feel good about where we stand on that front.”
D’Amaro’s comments signal that Disney sees value in keeping its legacy networks attached, even as the wider media landscape shifts toward digital platforms. He also pledged continued investment in Disney+, reaffirming the company’s commitment to its streaming flagship.
Political Implications
The FCC’s interest in The View is part of a larger Republican-led push to hold broadcast networks accountable for perceived partisan bias, particularly in an election year. Carr, a Trump appointee, has made no secret of his concerns about media coverage.
Disney’s filings with the FCC argue that The View qualifies as a bona fide news program, which would exempt it from equal time rules that force broadcasters to give competing campaigns similar airtime. The distinction hinges on whether a show’s primary purpose is journalistic or advocacy.
Critics say The View is clearly the latter. The montage Carr posted shows panelists urging viewers to vote for Democrats, praising party leaders, and mocking Republicans—hardly the stuff of neutral news gathering.
But Disney’s lawyers contend that editorial discretion—including the decision to book partisan guests or voice opinions—is protected under the First Amendment and that the FCC lacks authority to second-guess programming choices.
The outcome of the investigation could set a precedent for how the FCC treats politically charged daytime talk shows across all networks. If the agency determines The View violated equal time rules, ABC’s broadcast licenses could be in jeopardy, potentially forcing Disney to restructure or sell affected stations.
For now, Disney is rolling the dice on a combative defense. D’Amaro’s public posture suggests the company believes it can weather the regulatory storm, citing its track record of storytelling and global reach.
“We tell incredible stories. I think we do it well. We do it around the world,” he said, framing the dispute as a matter of creative and journalistic freedom.
Whether that stance resonates with regulators remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Disney isn’t backing down without a fight.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2026/08/14/disney-ceo-josh-damaro-says-abc-wont-be-told-how-to-run-its-business-as-fcc-exposes-left-wing-bias-on-air/